Clarke triumphs in Beaufort

Break laps field in men's race

Hilton Clarke (UnitedHealthcare) was victorious in the Beaufort Memorial Cycling Classic men's race, taking the sprint over Luca Damiani (Kenda/5-Hour Energy Pro Cycling) and Carlos Alzate (Team Exergy). Clarke had earlier taken a lap on the field with teammate Karl Menzies, Andrew Dahlheim (BISSELL Pro Cycling), Raymond Kreder (Chipotle Development Team) and a number of other riders.

The group of eight riders managed to get away after 20 laps of racing and after almost being reeled in a number of times, managed to gain a lap on the field. UnitedHealthcare was the best represented of the elite break and after neutralising a number of attacks from the field of lapped riders the UCI Pro Continental squad worked to set up the sprint for Roswell podium placer Hilton Clarke.

It was the familiar Blue train that led for the final 10 laps and - in what was almost a formality - delivered Clarke to the line. The Aussie was too good and made it two wins in 3 days for his team.

Buchanan makes it three straight wins for Colavita

Rushlee Buchanan continued the domination of the Colavita/Forno d'Asolo p/b Cooking Light cycling team in Speed Week winning solo in the Beaufort Memorial Cycling Classic. Theresa Cliff-Ryan gave the team a 1-2 finish and has now finished first or second in all of the first three races of the series. Christina Gokey-Smith rounded out the podium with another strong ride, but again fell short of the win after being out-manoeuvred by the powerful Colavita team.

Buchanan's win was set up after taking a flyer with 6 laps to go. She was briefly joined by Jennifer Rasmusson (Team Kenda p/b Geargrinder) and the two worked together to hold off the chasing pack led by Rouse Bicycles. Rasmusson was then dropped by Buchanan with 3 laps to go, and the Colavita rider went on to win alone.